Tired of being tired?
Fatigue comes in many forms, but the most insidious for many of my clients is the kind of fatigue that remains undiagnosed and therefore persistent.
I have heard from many clients that despite being extremely tired all the time, their doctors tell them there is nothing wrong. Basic laboratory work is done, and values come back normal, and this doesn’t lead the client toward solutions. Some people might start to think that it is something that they just need to live with, or rely on caffeine to get them through the day. But many know deep down something might be wrong, and they just wish they had the energy to do what life requires without such fatigue.
Fatigue can creep up on a person, progressively getting worse over months or even years. It can be accompanied by many other symptoms, such as muscle pain, frequent infection, digestive issues and foggy thinking, or it can be the only complaint. Either way, it is often something people push past and ignore until their quality of life has really deteriorated.
One of the principles of naturopathic medicine is that the body has an innate ability to heal, and tapping into the wisdom requires listening to the body’s symptoms. So, one of the first steps toward healing is to not accept fatigue as the way life is, but to feel empowered to find help.
Another principle is to treat the root cause of the problem instead of the symptoms. So, treating fatigue is not done by simply stimulating one’s energy with caffeine, sugar or other means. The path forward is to fully assess and determine the root cause of fatigue, which can be multifaceted.
Hypothyroidism can create fatigue, because the thyroid is a gland responsible for producing hormones associated with the body’s metabolic rate. Lab tests are sometimes less reliable for understanding how well the liver is activating thyroid hormone, and sub-optimal thyroid function often has an underestimated role in patients with fatigue.
Anemia, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, malabsorption, lingering or past viral infections, congestive heart failure, insomnia, diabetes mellitus, malignancies, and other chronic illnesses can present with fatigue. Depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders may also be considered as sources of fatigue. Many rheumatologic illnesses as well as Lyme disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome may also present with fatigue.
In addition to this pathology-based diagnosis process commonly relied upon, naturopathic doctors also simply assess and optimize organ function. In this way, the root causes of imbalances are addressed. Whether a person has normal lab values for the differential diagnosis of disease or has been diagnosed with a disease that contributes to the fatigue, we can always support the function or underlying healing capacity of the body.
In this way, to resolve fatigue, we support the organs and processes that provide energy and/or are suspected to be contributing to the fatigue. And there are many paths to vibrant energy for our bodies.
First, we can optimize cell function and support adenosine triphosphate production via Kreb’s cycle. ATP is the principal molecule for storing and transferring energy in cells. Key ways to boost the cell’s ATP efficiency are to optimize micronutrients like B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, optimize thyroid hormone utilization, and improve blood sugar regulation. It is also critical to reduce environmental pollutants that are known to disrupt ATP production, like mercury, phthalates, pesticides and other persistent organic pollutants.
Second, we can balance our stress response, restore healthy sleep patterns and optimize endocrine function. Endocrine organs such as the adrenals, thyroid and pancreas can be overall disease free, but still be functionally stressed and underperforming. Hormones affect many aspects of life, including sleep patterns, digestion and absorption, detoxification and nerve function, which also influence energy levels. This overlaps with cell function, in part because key hormones like thyroid hormone, Vitamin D (which is truly a hormone), cortisol, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), insulin, glucagon and testosterone all influence a cell’s ability to produce energy. Through diet, meditation, herbs, detoxification and lifestyle modifications, a patient can improve endocrine function and heal fatigue, even if not diagnosed with a disease.
Third, we can reduce inflammation through whole-foods meal plans. The inflammation levels in patients who consume moderate to high amounts of inflammatory, “anti-nutrient” foods like sugar, alcohol, refined flours, preservatives and additives can contribute to fatigue. It is key to not to underestimate the old adage, “You are what you eat.” If tired, depleted foods are eaten, energy levels can easily be derailed.
In my 20 years of experience, I am frequently delighted to hear patients report high levels of energy after taking a four-week break from inflammatory foods. The vibrancy gifted by eating fresh, nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes and lean proteins can liberate many clients from the prison of fatigue.
Unfortunately, in a world full of stress, depleted foods and environmental chemicals, fatigue has become an epidemic. Fortunately, there is still hope, even when all diagnostic tests are considered to be within normal limits. Naturopathic medicine treats the whole person, not just symptoms like fatigue. Vibrant health is something we never tire to create.
